Tuesday, September 21, 2010

In driving home from my daughter's house in Virginia, I made two stops in York County, Pennsylvania. It was as if I spent the afternoon with my 5th great - grandfather, Johann Jonas Wolf, b. 1739 - d. 1787, son of Johan Jacob Wolf, b. 1694 - d. 1757 and Anna Barbara Orth.

First I stopped in Abbottstown, PA at the cemetery where Johann Jonas Wolf is buried. A small American flag and a metal marker engraved, 'Revolutionary War', proclaim him as a patriot. Next I visited the York County Archives at 150 Pleasant Acres Road, York. The first item I found was the Last Will & testament of Johann Jonas Wolf.

“In the name of God, Amen. J. Jonas Wolf of Berwick Township, in the County of York, and the State of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being very weak in Body, but of sound and disposing mind and Memory, (Thanks be to God for the same) do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in Manner and Form following (that is to say) Imprimis I give and recommend my Immortal Spirit into the Hands of Almighty God, that gave it, and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian Burial, at the Discretion of my Executers hereafter nominated and appointed and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to help me in this Life. I give and Bequeaath the same in the following Manner and Form, Viz: First, it is my Will and Order that all my just Debts and Funeral Expenses may be paid and adjusted as soon as conveniency will permit, - Secondly, I give and Bequeath unto my beloved Wife, Appollona first and foremost the Bed and Bedstead I now lie on with all the Furniture thereto belonging, two Cows, one Iron Wash Kettle, one Pewter Dish, one Ditto Basin, Six ditto Plates, eight ditto Spoons, one Iron Pot (of all said Articles she to have her choice out of the rest) also the Walnut Chest, the Cradle with the Bedding there unto Belonging, and Twenty Pounds in Cash, - Thirdly, for the Use of the Family I Give unto my Wife all the Woven Cloth of every kind, and as much of the Grain as they shall have need for till the first of August next, my said Wife and Family are likewise to have Liberty to live on the Plantation until the same sold as hereafter is to be mentioned, Fourthly, It is my Will and I do Order, that all the remainder of my Estate both Real and Personal whatsoever shall and may be Sold by my Executors at such Times, and in such Manner and Form as they shall judge but for my Surviving Family, and the moneys arising thereof after all my Debts, Funeral and other Expenses are paid, to be divided as follows, viz: the Sum of thirty Pounds to be laid out by my Executor for some place of living for my Wife as long as she remains my Widow, and afterwards to be disposed of and divided among my Children hereafter named, and the Sum of Ten Pounds I give to my daughter, Apollona over and above her equal Share, and all Such Sum or Sums as then shall be remaining to be equally divided among my said beloved Wife and Children, namely (Apollona, my Wife to get first Share) and Jacob my eldest Son next, then Apollona next, then John next, then Catherine, then Adam, then Christina, then Frederick, then Elizabeth, then Andrew, all to have even Share and Share alike, they to receive the same according to their Several Ages from the Eldest to the youngest, and in such Manner and form as the Executor most conveniently can make up the same, and in Case any of my Children should die without lawful Heirs to Survive them. I Will that the Share of such be equally divided among the Survivors even Share, and Share Alike. It is likewise my Will that my Daughter Apolona may live with her mother as long as Circumstances will permit, and that the Ten Pounds Cash first to her Will, Together with her other equal share may be put into the Hands of my Eldest Son Jacob (whom I appoint to be her Guardian) in order that she may be maintained out of the Interest of the Same, but said if the Interest at the times prove inefficient then in such Case some of the Capital to be made use of thereto. The said Guardian to give Security (sufficient) to the Executor on delivery of the Money to him in Case they see Cause to demand the same. And in Case thi Apollona should die before my other Children, and any thing then be left behind by her, I will that the same may be divided among the rest even Share and Share Alike, as said before. It is likewise my Will that such of my Children as yet stand in need of Schooling, that they may be Schooled out of my Estate and the Boys to be put to -?- at such Times as they are fit. And Lastly, I Nominate and Appoint my trusty Friends Henry Hull and Garrett Dorland to be the Executors of this my last Will and testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the Seventh Day of September in the Year of the Lord one thousand Seven hundred and eighty seven (1787).”

Note: The plaque at his tombstone that details his Revolutionary War service gives his death date as 9 July 1787. This, however, cannot be accurate because he signed his Will on 7 September 1787, two months after the date on the plaque. I had been given 21 September 1787 as his date of death. At the end of the Will it says

Sept 21st, 1787 Last Will & Testament of Jonas Wolff died Proved September 21st, 1787.

With the Will was a list of everything Johann Jonas Wolf owned at the time of his death. Most of those items are listed here. They give a wonderful look into life in the year 1787. This is: "An Inventory of the Estate, Goods, Chattles, Rights and Credits which were of Jonas Wolf, late of Berwick Township, dec. made and appraised by the Subscribers, September the 13th; A. D. 1787 - "

A Sermon Book; Two Hymn Books; 2 Old Spelling Books, and Primer; Great – Coat; Four Coasts ,Jacket, Breeches and Hat; 4 pair of Trouzers, & 1 pair of Leggins; 2 Shirts, and one pair of stockings; 1 pair of old boots, 1 pair of Shoes and Buckles; A watch and 3 old Shirts; The Dwelling Plantation, Consisting of 83 Acres and Allowances of Land; Another Plantation and tract of land Consisting of 120 acres, more or less; A wagon; A Plough and Irons; 2 black horses; A Sorrel; A Black Mare; A Colt; A brindled Cow; A Spotted Heiffer; A brown Steer; A red Steer; A black Heiffer; 3 Heiffer Calves; 2 other Calves; 17 head of Sheep; A; Wind Mill; A Waggon Cloath; A Cutting Box and Knife; The Geers and Stones of an Oil Mill; A Quantity of Wheat at 4/6 Bushels; A Quantity of Rye at 2/9 Bushels; A Quantity of Oats at 1/6 Bushels; Hay; 2 Dung forks, and hook; A hay – fork, 2 Rakes and 2 flails; 2 old casks and trough; A Quantity of Flax, unthreashed; A Quantity of Hemp, unwatered; 5 Cow Chains; A Pair of Hay – Ladders; 8 Planks; An Old Wheel – barrow; A Log – Chain; One Still – Door; A Harrow; Stretch Chains; A Sleigh; A sled; 4 Hogs; 2 Shovels; A grindstone; A pair of Hobbles; A Man Saddle, and Saddlebags; An old Saddle, and Saddlebags; A stallion chain; 2 Augers; A pair of Pincers, Chizzel, Gouge, and Spike; A half – Bushel; A hand saw, and draw knife; Two pieces of Iron & a door hinge; A whip; A Cake – Iron; An old Sythe & piece of Gin Barrel; A Pot Trammel; A quilling – Wheel and Swifts; A Sythe and Craddle; 2 Spinning Wheels; A warping Bar, Wouk, and 22 spools; A weavers Loom; Reeds and Geers; 2 Gums with some Salts; A covered Straw Basket and dried apples; An old cask with some Sope and Fat; Riddles & Straw; An Old cask with some Lime; 2 Baskets and old Iron; A Bag with feathers; A pruning saw and Whip Stalk; Some Onions and old Sive; An empty Hogshead with straw cover; 2 straw baskets and some beans; A flour Barrel; An Axe and three rakes; A big Wheel, Reel and Swifts; A hair – sifter and Rope; A Dough Trough; A Side – saddle and Bridle; A pair of Steel yards; 9 Bags; A Chest and Box; A bed and Bedstead; 2 Razors 7 Strap; Table Clothes; An old Half Bushel and 7 Bread Baskets; A table; A Looking Glass; A Cupboard; Wool; Woolen Yarn; A Stone Jug; 2 little Tubs; 3 Pails; An Iron Pot; 2 pewter Basins, 4 Plates, 7 spoons & 8 Tea spoons; Tea tin, Coffee pot, Funnel, 1 Quart, 2 Pint & half pint cups; 5 Delf Plates; 10 pairs of cups & saucers, 2 tea pots, and a Sugar Pot; A glass and earthen bowl & salt Box; 1 lamp and Candlestick; A Coffee – Mill & Spice Box; 2 Bottles; 6 Knives and 10 Forks; A Kitchen Dresser; A Shelf

In the Archives I located this book: Gibson, John. History of York County, Pennsylvania. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. It records the Revolutionary service for 2nd Lt. Jonas Wolf in the Fifth Company, Sixth Battalion under Captain Peter Iekes. Find more on his service in my post, 'Revolutionary War Soldiers'.

I also found information on Appollonia (Dick) Wolf, wife of Johann Jonas Wolf. “An Inventory of the Estate, Goods, Chattle, Rights which were of Appollona Wolf, Deceased made and appraised by the Subscribers August the 19th – 1790 – “ Many items listed were the same as those listed for her husband. The following is a partial list of her estate items:

A Bed Case; 3 Callico Gowns; 3 lintsey Gowns and a long Gown; a Woman’s Cloke; 8 lintsey petticoats; one silk hankercheif; a pair stocking and a pair of Mitten; 2 knifes, 2 forks, 3 cups and one apron; one bowl and a candlestick; blue and white woolen yarn; 3 yards of flax linen; 14 yards of ton linen; hand sope; a feather bed and two blankets; a looking glass, a pair of spectacles; a pine Chest; a wallet and a little bag

Jacob Wolf 1762 - 1810

In Abbottstown I also discovered the tombstone for Jacob Wolf, (1762 - 1810) my 4th great granduncle, son of Johann Jonas Wolf. Jacob married Cornelia Knight and they had a daughter named Margaret Wolf.

We do not know what happened to Mary Ann Everett. According to Ivy (Mark) Brown, granddaughter of Augustus Gruissy, she ran off with another man, leaving her husband and daughters behind. This story has not been verified.

2. His second wife was Esther Barbara Wolf b. 14 June 1836 in PA - d. 11 August 1906 in Ohio. They were married 6 December 1868 in Stark County, Ohio. They had five children:

3. His third wife was Ellen -?- b. c. 1848 in Ohio. They had no children together. She was still living when he died in 1915. Family stories paint her in a bad light, possibly causing his death before he could change his will to leave her out.

Augustus Ceaser Gruissy was a colorful character. He grew herbs and sold home made medicinal remedies, including QUEEN OIL. A clipping from an unknown newspaper advertised its sale.

After many years experience and innumerable tests, I find this remedy will cure more cases of Sore Mouth, Sore Throat, Diphtheria, Quinsy, Pain in the Side, Breast, Back or Stomach, Cramp of Colic, than any other medicine in use. Will cure Neuralgia, Rheumatism, Croup, Asthma, Sprains, Toothache, Burns and Frosted Feet. It is mild and pleasant, and safe for either age or sex. DIRECTIONS,-For sore throat, diphtheria and quinsy, take from 8 to 10 drops on sugar several times a day and keep the pains well bathed with the same; for cramp colic and other pains, take from 10 to 20 drops on sugar every half hour until relieved. Sold by A. C. GRUISSY, West Lebanon, - Ohio. Price 50c & $1.00 a bottle. Every bottle warranted.

In 1870 he was a carpenter in the Village of West Lebanon. In 1880 he was a peddler in Wadsworth Township. In 1910 he owned a farm and was in the "medicine trade" in Sugar Creek. The 1915 Farm Journal Rural Directory of Stark County said he owned a six acre farm, one horse and was a peddler. Augustus & Esther are buried in Spring Grove Cemetery.

NOTE: The difficulty in researching this branch of our family is the wide variety of spellings of Gruissy. I have found it as: Grusey, Creesy, Greelys, Gruissy, Gruissi, Greasys, Creasy and more!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Johannes served in the York County, PA Militia. In 1787 he served in the 6th Battalion, 5th Company as 2nd Lieutenant. In 1779 he served in the 7th Battalion, 8th Company as 1st Lieutenant. In both instances his Captain was Peter Ekes. He served again from 1781 - 1782 with the York County Militia, guarding Camp Security, a prisoner of war camp.

I plan to go to the National Archives in Washington, DC soon to obtain the Compiled Service Records for these family members. I would like to discover the history of the companies they served in to get a clear idea of battles they fought in. If anyone knows where I can find that information please contact me. A good place to look for your Revolutionary War ancestor is the Daughters of the American Revolution website. IF you find your ancestor you can be sure the proper documentation has been filed to prove his service. You can also find his genealogy. It will show the lineage from the soldier to the person who filed to be a DAR. If you do not find you ancestor there, it does not mean he did not serve. It just means no one has yet filed with the DAR to prove his service.

Prowell, George R. History of York County, Pennsylvania. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Company, 1907.
This book includes 'Rolls of Associators and Militia' and the name Wolf appears many times. At this time they cannot all be proved to be linked to our family tree.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Alberta Joy (Gardner) Brown was the only child of Helen Francis Coyle and Nathaniel Gardner. Helen and Nathaniel were both born in New York City but came from very different backgrounds. They met when they both worked for the Western Union Telegraph Company. Helen's Irish Catholic family and Nathaniel's Austrian Jewish family did not approve of their marriage but Helen and Nathaniel did not let that stop them. They married and raised a daughter in the Bronx until 1940 when they bought a little house in the country in Germantown, New York. Helen and Joy lived in Germantown. Nathaniel stayed in a little place in New York City during the week and took the train to Germantown on weekends. The country air was supposed to improve his health. He planned to retire and join his small family there full time but World War II began and he was needed as a telegrapher. Unfortunately, when he did retire he was only retired a short while when he died. Helen and Joy both remained in Germantown for the rest of their lives.

Helen Francis Coyle b. 9 January 1897 in New York City, was the oldest of seven children of Michael & Mary Josephine (Mullane) Coyle.Both her parents were born in Ireland but met in New York City. Michael & Mary Jo met at a boarding house. He saw her coming down the staircase and fell in love with her. Michael was a Baker. Helen helped in the bakery in the mornings before school; mixing the dough and making deliveries. All seven children were born at home, in New York City. There were five daughters and two sons. The first son lived only a short time. The second son, Thomas Coyle, b. c. 1904, left the family and we have been unable to discover what happened to him.Of the daughters, only Helen had any children. Her only child was Alberta Joy (Gardner) Brown.

Delbert Keith Brown was the oldest of seven children. His mother, Ivy Regina Mark, and her family came from Ohio. His father, Roy Jesse Brown, and his family came from Mississippi. They met when Roy traveled north from Mississippi to find a job. In 1927 they were married in a simple ceremony in her parents' parlor. They lived in Rittman, Wayne County, Ohio. Six of their seven children were born in Ohio: Delbert Keith Brown, Leo Dwight Brown, Genevieve Audry Brown, Jeanette Rose Brown, Larry Lee Brown, and Robert Allen Brown. William Lane Brown was born after they moved to New York State.

Friday, September 3, 2010

I recently visited the Cumberland County Historical Society & the Hamilton Library in Carlisle, PA. My goal was to discover more about Abraham Mark, b. 12 November 1812 in PA. My maternal grandmother was Ivy Regina Mark Brown.

In PA, the librarian was a very helpful and patient man. He suggested I begin with the family files that usually include trees, letters on inquiry from other researchers, references to documents such as tax lists and census records, etc. In Ohio I have found these to be full of relevant information. I was not as lucky on this occasion. In fact, the one piece of paper in the file was a letter I had written myself, ten years ago, requesting information on Abraham Mark and his wife, Mary Isabella Heffelfinger. I used the Card Catalog and did a surname search.The difficulty with searching for Mark quickly surfaces. Anyone with the first name Mark will pop up. In this case anything in the Historical Society collection described as having a mark also popped up.In sorting through all of that, I found nothing that showed a connection to Abraham Mark. The librarian suggested the use of the Church and Cemetery Records Index and Tax Lists on microfilm. Despite the wealth of materials and the patience of the librarian, I found no links to our family.

Not wanting the drive from Virginia to Pennsylvania to be a waste of time (and the still to come drive back to New York State) I decided to search their county histories. I began with Cumberland County, the county I was in. Rev. Conway P. Wing's History of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania written in 1879 & Dr. George P. Donehoo's History of the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania written in 1930 were both interesting and I asked for copies of some pages.

My luck changed when I decided to look at the History of York County, Pennsylvania by George R. Prowell, Volume I. My Wolf ancestors lived in York County from at least the mid 1700s. The chapter on Pioneers & Pioneer Life is very interesting. I could picture my ancestors

"Hard and patiently did the settlers go to work, with coats off, arms bare, and sweated brows, to fell the trees and hew the logs for their future homes. Logs were split, notched and appropriately arranged, and then each settler assisted his nearest neighbor to do the heaviest work. The women who endured this new life were not idle. In homespun clothing and plain white caps, with the open air for a kitchen, and a few collected stones for a hearth … they swung with chain and hooks, the pots and kettles brought from their native land, and prepared the heartily relished food."

Then I continued on to the Revolutionary War chapters. Mr. Prowell listed the Battalions of the York County Militia and the officers in those battalions. This is where I found Johann Jonas Wolf, b. 27 December 1739 - d. 21 September 1787. In 1778 he was in the 6th Battalion, 5th Company under command of Capt. Peter Ekes. Jonas was the 2nd Lieutenant. The rank and file consisted of 84 men. In 1779 he served in the 7th Battalion, 8th Company, also under command of Capt. Peter Ekes. Now Jonas was the 1st Lieutenant. Rank and file, 70 men.

I can never be sure where genealogy research will lead me. In this case I began searching for one branch and found another.

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